Senate panel approves substitute to HB 1193, funds 1,313 K–3 literacy coaches

The Senate Appropriations Committee unanimously approved a Senate substitute to House Bill 1193 on March 25, 2026, advancing legislation focused on early literacy, classroom coaching and accountability.

Committee leaders said the substitute prioritizes classroom-based coaching over added administrative layers. The substitute directs funding for one literacy coach at every K–3 school and places the funding outside the Quality Basic Education (QBE) formula so local systems do not pick up the customary 20% local share. Committee remarks tied the commitment to the FY27 budget and estimated the cost to the state at over $70 million to support 1,313 coaches.

The substitute retains House provisions on screening and parental notification, including first-grade screening and a parental-notification requirement when students are not ready to progress. It also sunsets the statewide literacy council in December 2026 and moves ongoing coordination and updates to the governor’s Office of Student Achievement (GOSA). The bill earmarks roughly $5.5 million for coordinating research and implementation; the committee noted that the literacy-coach endorsement work is expected to be hosted at Georgia Southern University.

"Georgia's children, only 29 percent are reading on grade level in third grade," the chair said in explaining the urgency for the proposal. He told the committee the Senate substitute "puts a coach at every K–3 school," and stressed that funding outside QBE will let funds "flow where coaches are hired in real time" without local cost-share burdens.

Members acknowledged the House’s work but emphasized the Senate substitute's classroom focus and its intention to avoid creating new task forces or duplicative bodies. After brief discussion, a motion to pass the substitute was seconded and the committee recorded a unanimous 'aye' voice vote.

The substitute now proceeds through the chamber’s next legislative steps.